Ethiopian Airlines has renewed its passenger reservations system with global travel technology provider, Sabre Corporation. The airline also signed up for a suite of new technology solutions to support its continued growth as a world-class carrier.

Ethiopian Airlines has been using Sabre’s technology for its core reservations, network planning and ecommerce since 2005.Despite the daunting challenges in African aviation, Ethiopian Airlines has continued with thriving successes and has become the leading Aviation group in Africa, nine years ahead of its 15 years strategic growth roadmap, Vision 2025.

Ethiopian Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam, said: “Our focus towards availing the latest Information Technology and travel system solution is one of the pillars in our long term growth plan, Vision 2025.Consequently, we have made huge investments in Information Technology to create a seamless passenger experience.Moreover,Sabre’s technology partnership and expertise has been invaluable,which is now furtherflourishingwith cutting-edge technologythathelps us ensure better customer experience and remain to bean airline of choice amongtravelers around the world.”

“Ethiopian Airlines is one of aviation’s most compelling success stories, having overcome industry challenges to drive rapid and sustained growth on a continent where profitability in aviation is extremely rare,” said Dino Gelmetti, vice president, Airline Solutions, Sabre.“For more than a decade, Sabre’s technology has been helping Ethiopian Airlines maximize profits and offer a network of flights more extensive than any other African airline.As a result, it is now spearheading the African aviation industry and is a benchmark of success for other carriers on the continent and beyond.”

The next phase of development for Ethiopian Airlines is in enhancing its passenger experience.Among the new technology that Ethiopian Airlines will introduce is Sabre’s Intelligence Exchange.Airlines currently sit on a goldmine of data, yet only use 12% of it to engage with passengers; Intelligence Exchange enables airlines to turn that remaining 88% of data into actionable insights.Armed with a 360 degree view of each passenger, airlines can then offer individual travellers services that are uniquely relevant to them – increasing sales of ancillaries.

“80% of flights to, from and within Africa are operated by non-African airlines,” continued Gelmetti.“This move helps Ethiopian to better focus on understanding the individual needs of its passengers, while remaining to be an airline of choice among travelers.By implementing new customer-centric technology that can enhance the travel experience through contextual engagement, Ethiopian Airlines can win passengers from its rivals while experiencing up to a 10% increase in revenue generated from ancillary sales.”

Lockheed Martin reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 400th C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on Feb. 9. This Super Hercules is an MC-130J Commando II Special Operations aircraft that is assigned to the U.S. Air Force’s Special